Biology

Physiology

Pichu is a small ground-dwelling rodent. Its fur is very short, and it is pale yellow in color. The tips of its large ears are black, and it has additional black markings on its neck and tail. Its tail is short, but still bears some resemblance to the large lightning-bolt structure it will develop later on in life. It has pouches in its cheeks, which are pinkish colored and used for storing electricity. Its nose is extremely small, almost like a dot. It is classified as a quadruped, but many have been known to walk easily on their hind legs.

Gender differences

Pichu normally have no gender differences; however, the Spiky-eared Pichu, which is female, has a spiked ear.

Special abilities

Pichu, like its evolutions, is capable of producing electrical sparks from its cheeks, charging itself with electricity more easily on days with thunderclouds or when the air is very dry. However, since Pichu is only a baby, it cannot control them as well, and may release electricity unintentionally. However, it is not able to store large amounts of electricity in its body.

Behavior

Pichu are social Pokémon known for their playfulness. They tend to be very mischievous and are always on the lookout for something fun to do. They are usually found in groups, typically with members of their own species, but occasionally with other types of Pokémon. Like their evolutions, they are capable of storing electricity from the atmosphere, however, this ability requires much practice to perfect. Pichu are prone to randomly discharging electricity, as they are not fully mature. They become better at holding power as they grow older. Pichu are frequently observed touching tails with each other, creating a shower of sparks.

Other

A Pichu had a role in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate!. Pichu's big brother, Pikachu, was lost and he was so worried, the Baby Electric Mouse went out to find him. Pichu came across Team Meanies, but they played a horrible trick on Pichu when asked to join them. Pichu found Team Go-Getters, who gladly let him come along with them. Pichu was eventually kidnapped by the Skarmory that had kidnapped Pikachu.

Pokédex entries

Pichu, the Tiny Mouse Pokémon. A pre-evolved form of Pikachu. Despite their size, Pichu release bursts of electricity that can shock even humans. However, Pichu are unskilled at controlling their electricity, and sometimes release it by accident when surprised, or when laughing and shock themselves.

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Gold, in his desperation, protected an Egg containing the offspring of Red's Pika and Yellow's Chuchu from the Masked Man. Soon thereafter, Gold's own talent as the "hatcher" allowed a powerful Pichu to hatch, with which he was able to defeat the villain and free Celebi from the GS Ball using Raikou's massive electrical power. Its name was unknown, though Yellow said, "It must have come from the day care where we left Pika and Chuchu!" She names it Pichu, deriving from its parents names. It also returned with its parents to help destroy Guile Hideout's giant Kyogre monster with a Volt Tackle.

In the TCG

Other appearances

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokémon Stadium 2: Pichu stars in the mini-game "Pichu's Powerplant." Similar to Pikachu's and Voltorb's mini-game, "Thundering Dynamo", in Pokémon Stadium. The player has to be the first to charge up the most electrical power in order to win.

Due to it being distributed via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for European and North American games, the Pikachu-colored Pichu, a Shiny Pichu, was the first Pokémon to be given out over Wi-Fi Connection outside Japan.

Origin

Name origin

Pichu is a combination of ピカピカ pikapika (onomatopoeia for sparkle) and チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking). It may also be a play on プチ puchi (petit). Pichu is ultimately a diminutive of Pikachu, indicating it is less than Pikachu.

In other languages

Language

Title

Meaning

Japanese

ピチュウ Pichu

From ピカピカ pikapika (onomatopoeia for sparkle), チューチュー chūchū (the sound of squeaking), and プチ puchi (petit).